Who can chat with me?

Google will automatically add users (staff only) that you frequently email to your chat list. To limit who can chat with you:

Click the icon next to your name at the top of the chat box

Click Chat Settings

Click Only allow people that I've explicitly approved to chat with me and see when I'm online.

Click Save Changes

To chat with a user not displayed in your list, type their name or email address in the search box below your name, and then click Invite to chat. Invitations are automatically accepted between Orono users, unless a user has restricted their access as above.

Status Messages

The circle icon next to a user names indicates whether they are available to chat. You can set your own status by click the icon next to your name at the top of the chat box.

Available (Green)

All of your contacts that are available to talk will appear at the top of your Friends list, with a green ball next to each of their names.

Unavailable (Red)

A red ball next to someone's name lets you know that person has designated themself as Busy.

Idle (Yellow)

When a user has not been active for some time, you'll see a yellow ball next to his or her name. This indicates they are likely not at their computer, though they are logged in to chat.

Offline / Invisible (Gray)

When a user is not signed into chat, a gray ball will appear next to their name.

How to set your status

To set your status and/or to add a custom message to your status, click the icon next to your name and either select a default status (no message) or select Custom Message to set a staus and a message.

You can also update your photo and access chat settings from this menu.

Disable Chat

Click the icon next to your name at the top of the chat box

Click Chat Settings

Click Chat Off

Click Save Changes

Notifications

Sounds

Click the icon next to your name at the top of the chat box

Click Chat Settings

Click Sounds Off to disable sound notifications

Click Save Changes

Desktop Messages

Desktop notifications display a box in the corner of your computer screen when someone sends you an instant message. These messages appear even if your browser is minimized. These messages are disabled by default; to enable desktop notifications, you must be using Chrome and turn on the notifcations on your gmail settings. Alternatively, you can also download the Google Talk app, to get notification without Chrome.

Click the gear icon in the upper right of your inbox

Click Settings

In the Desktop Notifications section, set whether Chat Nofications should be on or off (must be using Chrome to receive pop-ups)